Castration

Could The ClipFitter Work For Calf Castration?

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:56:26 GMT

Castration remains a routine management practice in cattle systems, yet it continues to raise persistent animal welfare concerns. Bloodless methods are widely used because they are easy to apply, but none are pain-free. Rubber banding is effective, but associated with both acute and prolonged discomfort. Burdizzo castration can reduce long-term pain, but carries a higher risk of incomplete castration and subsequent complications. This trade-off has driven interest in new tools that might preserve reliability without increasing pain.

New work published in “ The Bovine Practitioner ” by Jacob Schumacher and colleagues at Kansas State University explored the ClipFitter , a castration method that combines the benefits of both rubber banding and the Burdizzo method, for calf castration.

The ClipFitter is a disposable plastic clamp that crushes the spermatic cords and associated nerves like a Burdizzo, but remains on the scrotum until it sloughs off, providing visual confirmation of successful castration. While the ClipFitter has been used previously in lambs, this pilot study represents its first evaluation of its use in calves.

ClipFitter vs. Banding: A Comparison

The study included 12 beef-dairy cross calves aged 8 to 10 weeks. These animals were assigned to one of three groups: ClipFitter castration, standard rubber band castration or sham handling. No local anesthetics or systemic analgesics were administered, reflecting common practices in the U.S.

The following physiological and behavioral indicators were used to assess animal welfare and pain before and after castration:

Plasma cortisol and substance P levels
Lying and standing activity measured via accelerometer
Ocular and scrotal temperature measured via infrared thermography, as indicators of acute stress responses and blood flow and castration effectiveness, respectively

Data were collected through seven days post-castration.

(ClipFitter)

Pain, Behavior and Effectiveness

Plasma cortisol concentrations increased shortly after castration across all groups, peaking at 30 minutes before declining toward baseline. However, cortisol levels did not differ significantly among the three treatment groups. Substance P concentrations showed no differences between treatments or over time.

These findings suggest neither blood biomarker was sensitive enough to distinguish pain responses between ClipFitter and rubber band castration. However, this may also have been due to the relatively small sample size used in this study along with the variability of these biomarkers.

Activity monitoring revealed subtle but measurable changes in lying and standing behavior following castration. Calves castrated with rubber bands spent less time standing before switching to a lying position compared to sham calves. ClipFitter calves spent less time lying before standing compared with sham calves. No lying or standing outcomes differed significantly between the two castration methods.

These results indicate both ClipFitter and band castration altered normal behavior patterns in ways consistent with discomfort. The differing patterns between treatments may reflect mechanical differences between devices rather than meaningful differences in pain severity. The authors noted the lateral application of the ClipFitter prototype may have contributed to positional discomfort while calves were lying: “Excess plastic on either side of the scrotum may rub on the calves’ legs or pull on their scrotums while lying.”

Infrared imaging of the scrotum provided the clearest evidence of castration effectiveness. By seven days postcastration, ClipFitter calves exhibited significantly lower scrotal temperatures than sham calves, consistent with reduced blood flow to the testicles. These temperatures were not different from those of banded calves.

Key Findings from the Pilot Study

While the ClipFitter successfully restricted blood flow to the testicles, the results did not demonstrate a welfare advantage over standard rubber band castration within the first seven days. Behavioral data suggest both methods cause measurable discomfort that physiological markers failed to differentiate.

As the authors conclude: “While the viability of the ClipFitter for castration of calves was demonstrated to be promising, we were unable to find differences in pain measures that could correlate to a negative state of welfare.”

The ClipFitter may prove to be a technically reliable alternative, but current data do not justify viewing it as a welfare-improving replacement for band castration. Larger studies with longer follow-up periods could determine whether the device can meaningfully shift castration welfare outcomes.

Castration in Beef Production: Timing, Technique and Welfare

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:23:12 GMT

Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures in beef production, yet the timing and method used varies across producers. While some producers delay the procedure in hopes of capturing additional growth, early castration may best balance calf welfare, health and downstream performance.

Veterinarians play a critical role in guiding producers through these decisions, not only by offering technical expertise but also by advising on the economic and management benefits.

The justification for castration has been well established. From a behavioral standpoint, bulls are more prone to fighting, mounting and injuring pen mates. These behaviors contribute to stress, lameness and carcass bruising, all of which translate into economic loss. Castration also improves carcass quality; steers typically produce more tender beef and are less likely to result in dark cutters at harvest.

Properly castrated steers bring a premium at market compared to intact bull calves. According to Kansas State veterinarian Brad White, “Price discounts for uncastrated bulls could range from 3% to 15% depending on weight and age.”

Castration Timing

One of the most frequent questions producers pose is when calves should be castrated. According to Dr. Dan Thompson of Production Animal Consultation, the short answer is: the earlier, the better.

Research consistently demonstrates that castrating in the first week of life results in less stress, fewer complications and no long-term performance penalties. A review from the University of Florida concluded that calves castrated within the first week showed no disadvantage in weaning weight compared to those castrated at weaning, effectively debunking the notion that leaving bulls intact until weaning captures a growth advantage. Physiologically, this makes sense: Testosterone secretion at levels that influence muscle growth does not occur until puberty, or 7 to10 months of age.

Delaying castration until weaning or feedlot arrival significantly increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. In a recent analysis , Paul Beck and colleagues found that bulls were 1.16 times more likely to have chronic morbidity and 2.27 times more likely to have bovine respiratory disease mortality than steers.

On an episode of DocTalk , Thompson reinforced this point, noting that morbidity may increase by 150% to 200% when calves are castrated upon feedlot arrival. The intact bulls included in the analysis also displayed reduced average daily gain during the receiving period compared to their steer counterparts, and no compensatory gain on pasture, undermining any perceived advantage of delaying castration.

Methods and their Applications

The choice of castration technique should be guided by calf age, weight and producer resources. For calves under 250 lb., elastic band castration using a small elastrator is straightforward and effective. The procedure is bloodless at the time of application, simple to perform, and generally well tolerated. For larger calves, specialized large-animal banders, such as the Callicrate Bander, can be employed.

Regardless of size, banding carries the risk of tetanus. Clostridium tetani, the bacterial cause of tetanus, can be found in the soil. Veterinarians should be aware of the risk potential in their area of service and recommend vaccination accordingly.

Surgical castration can be used for immediate testicular removal, and is used more in larger calves. For very young calves, a simple scrotal incision and manual extraction of the testicles can be used. In older calves, hemorrhage becomes a more significant concern. Instruments, such as emasculators or the Henderson tool, which twist the spermatic cord to form a self-ligature, have been developed to reduce bleeding risk. These tools give veterinarians and producers more control in preventing complications, though they may require specific skills and follow-up management.

Pain Management

Regardless of method or age, castration is painful. Historically, pain control in livestock procedures was rarely employed, but growing consumer awareness and concern for animal welfare is changing expectations. Moreover, pain mitigation improves calf comfort and may support better post-procedural recovery. Local anesthesia with lidocaine is effective in reducing acute pain during surgical castration. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can further reduce post-procedural pain and inflammation.

Innovations such as Solvet, a lidocaine-impregnated elastrator band, offer promising new approaches for pain management with castration. These bands provide local anesthesia over the course of castration (14 to 28 days), reducing pain behaviors and allowing calves to resume normal activity more quickly. Such tools give veterinarians practical solutions to recommend to producers who are increasingly concerned about welfare and public perception.

Complications and Mitigation

All castration techniques are not without risk. The most common complications of castration are:

Hemorrhage — Particularly with surgical methods. Packing the scrotum with gauze or using a band to compress the wound can reduce bleeding.
Tetanus — Especially concerning after banding. Proper vaccination is key for prevention.
Fly strike — Preventable with seasonal planning, fly tags and repellents.
Incomplete castration — Typically the result of improper band placement. Can be minimized by careful technique and post-procedure monitoring.

Castration should be considered in terms of both animal welfare and economic return. Simply, castrating calves early is better for the calf, better for performance and better for the bottom line. Research confirms that delaying castration does not improve weaning weights, but it does increase health risks and compromise performance in the feedlot.

With the addition of practical pain management options and sound vaccination protocols, veterinarians can help producers implement castration programs that support both productivity and public trust. Castration is not simply a routine procedure, it is a management decision that directly impacts animal health, producer economics, and consumer confidence in beef production.

Streamline Spring Cattle Processing with These 3 Stress-Reducing Steps

Thu, 01 May 2025 15:46:11 GMT

Reducing stress during livestock handling can increase productivity, maintain or improve meat quality, reduce sickness and enhance animal welfare. Implementing low-stress handling techniques when working with cattle is important to reducing stress.

As producers prepare for spring processing, Beth McIlquham, University of Wisconsin-Madison regional livestock educator, encourages producers to consider these low-stress handling strategies.

“While temperament in cattle is moderately heritable, environment does play a role and even cattle that are less docile will benefit from low-stress handling methods,” Mcllquham says. “A good handler can help reduce fear in an animal, which is the primary driver of negative consequences associated with handling stress.”

Even if the animal is not experiencing any pain, fear can still cause physical responses in the body, such as high cortisol levels. These responses can ultimately lead to increased susceptibility to illness, lower meat quality and overall lower performance.

Mcllquham says one negative handling experiences can affect future handling situations.

Identifying stress through body language
Cattle in a state of fear or under stress can be identified through their body language. Obvious signs of fear in cattle are running, kicking, vocalizing and aggressive behaviors toward handlers. Subtle signs of fear are heavy breathing and showing the whites of their eyes. Stressed cattle can cause serious injury to themselves and humans. Relaxed cattle are quiet and walk or trot calmly. When low-stress handling techniques are used, the risk of injury is lowered.

“Besides increasing performance and lowering sickness and injury rates, consumers have indicated that they care that their food is humanely raised,” McIlquham explains. “Implementing low-stress handling is a great place to start and comes with many other benefits. Although it may sound like a daunting task, utilizing low-stress handling techniques can be done in smaller steps.”

Step 1: Put away the electric prod
“Our first step is to put away the electric prod,” she says. “To decrease use, place electric prods away from where you’re handling cattle but still be accessible in an emergency. This way, instead of instinctively reaching for it, the inconvenience of going to grab it can decrease electric prod use.”

Step 2: Understand cattle’s natural instincts
“We should utilize these instincts to work for us instead of against us,” she says. “The fact that cattle are prey animals drives a lot of their behaviors.”

Cattle are herd animals and like to be in groups. When moving them, keeping cattle in small groups (two to five head) can help keep them calmer and easier to handle. Additionally, cattle want to see you. Humans are naturally predators, and because cattle are prey animals, their instinct is to be able to keep handlers in sight.

Cattle want to go toward lighted areas and will resist going into darker areas. It is easier to see any potential threats in areas that are light. Keep in mind shadows can reduce cattle flow through an area.

Step 3: Study and use cattle’s natural flight zone
Good handlers study and use cattle’s flight zone and point of balance, McIlquham explains.

Two concepts are illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Flight Zone and Point of Balance

(Beef Quality Assurance Cattle Care & Handling Guides)

Walking into the flight zone makes the animal move away from the handler. Stepping out of the flight zone will take pressure off and remove the animal’s desire to continue to move away. Note that the size of flight zones varies between animals. The point of balance allows handlers to move the animal forward or backward. Stepping into the flight zone in front of the point of balance will make the animal move backward. Stepping into the flight zone behind the point of balance will drive the animal forward.

Keep in mind cattle have a blind spot directly behind them. If you approach the animal in the blind spot, they could get spooked. Walking in a zigzag pattern behind cattle helps let them know you are there.

Extra tip: Taking breaks
Calm cattle are easier to move than stressed cattle. Fearful cattle are more reactive, more easily injured, and more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors. If a handling situation does get intense, take a little break and release pressure on the cattle.

“Even taking a brief break can help both the animal and handler calm down and come back to the situation in a more positive light,” Mcllquham summarizes.

Your next read: Effective Needle and Syringe Strategies to Ensure Spring Processing Success

Lidocaine Infused Bands Minimize Castration Discomfort for Young Calves

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 23:37:43 GMT

As consumer concern for animal rearing practices rises, and industry awareness of animal welfare increases at the same time, food animal rearing practices are changing in step.

One of those practices: castration, a necessary yet painful rite of passage for every male animal destined for the beef market. A recent study at Kansas State University – presented at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Conference in Columbus, Ohio -- demonstrated how lidocaine-infused castration bands can help calves transition through the castration phase more smoothly and comfortably.

In the study, 26 beef-cross calves under two weeks of age were banded with either the lidocaine-infused band, or a conventional castration band. Calves were individually housed for close observation, and followed via 24/7 video surveillance for 42 days.

Among the results, researchers found:

· The calves treated with the lidocaine-infused bands had significantly more bouts of lying, and more total lying time, than those treated with conventional bands.

· The greatest disparity in lying time occurred between days 21 and 35, which is significant because that is the typical time when bands start cutting through the tissue. “It is great to see the lidocaine-banded calves were comfortable lying down at a time that we often say is the chronic part of the pain related to castration,” noted Eduarda Bortoluzzi, DVM, and assistant professor of animal welfare in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University.

· While weight loss would be expected immediately after castration, calves receiving the treated bands gained a bit of weight the first week after castration, while those with conventional bands lost weight during the same time period – an indication that the lidocaine-banded calves returned to appetite more quickly.

· At the end of the study, the final bodyweight was an average of more than 3 pounds higher for the calves receiving the lidocaine-treated bands compared to those receiving conventional bands.

“In addition to weight gain, it’s also about doing the right thing for our animals and providing some type of analgesic relief during castration because we know it’s painful,” declared Bortoluzzi. “I would use it to decrease their stress during this period. We now have a type of analgesic that was not available before.”

In other news from Bovine Veterinarian:
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Are You What's Standing in the Way of Pain Mitigation?

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 15:38:38 GMT

A recent survey by researchers at Colorado State University and published in the journal Frontiers in Pain Research took a deep dive into the practice of pain mitigation in calves, and the factors that increased the likelihood that managers would embrace pain-reducing measures when performing common calf-management procedures.

The researchers identified pain in cattle – particularly calves – as a significant welfare concern for the livestock industry. They noted that in the United States, expectations for pain mitigation for procedures like dehorning/disbudding, castration, and branding have increased, but “there are no legislative requirements, and industry-driven policies are still limited and variable across procedures and conditions.”

The U.S. livestock industry also has fewer approved analgesic veterinary pharmaceutical products at its disposal compared to other parts of the world, which is a factor influencing how widely pain mitigation is used.

The objectives of the study were to:

Summarize perceptions of painfulness associated with various procedures and disease conditions;
Assess factors that may explain differences in perceptions of painfulness; and
Assess potential relationships between perceptions of painfulness and pain mitigation practices among producers and veterinarians working in the U.S. beef and dairy cattle industries.

The survey was distributed via several industry membership listservs and social media groups. It included 46 questions that were adapted from a previous survey of veterinarians in the United Kingdom. The data set of total, usable responses included 1,187 surveys, made up of 497 producers, 569 veterinarians, and 121 who were both veterinarians and producers.

The procedures evaluated included abdominal surgery, surgical castration, band castration, hot iron dehorning, paste disbudding, hot iron branding, freeze branding, bovine respiratory disease, and lameness. All procedures were assessed for calf age groups of less than 2 months of age, 2-12 months of age, and greater than 12 months of age.

Among their key findings were:

Surgical castration at greater than 12 months of age was perceived to be the most painful procedure overall.
The perceived least painful procedure overall was paste disbudding at less than 2 months of age, followed by freeze branding at 2-12 months of age, and band castration at less than 2 months of age.
Respondents who were veterinarians or veterinarian-producers rated pain greater than producers for almost all procedures and conditions. Veterinarians also had significantly great odds of using pain mitigation in cattle across all age groups.
Men rated the majority of procedures as less painful compared to women. The only procedure that showed no difference in pain perception based on gender was hot iron branding.
There was no consistent pattern for the influence of the age of humans on pain perception.
The perception of pain significantly impacted the likelihood of respondents to provide both local and systemic analgesics to cattle across all ages for all procedures and conditions, with higher perceived pain strongly associated with greater frequency of providing pain mitigation.

The authors noted that, based on previous research, there is a misleading notion that younger animals feel less pain. “Research has established that young animals, i.e., calves, do feel pain, but the response is expressed differently both physiologically and behaviorally as compared with older animals,” they stated.

They also suggested there is a need for better communication and collaboration between veterinarians and cattle producers regarding pain management and improved animal welfare on farms.

For more on calf health, read:

New Bovine Veterinary Care Guidelines Available in Spanish

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:54:18 GMT

Veterinarians working with Spanish speaking caregivers of dairy and beef cattle now have access to a new set of guidelines to reference during one-on-one conversations and in presentations with farmers and caretakers.

The new set of guidelines, specific to castration, was completed in mid-August. They are a continuation of the Spanish-speaking training and oversight tools the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) has developed for veterinarians’ use.

“The board of directors decided to create a task force to translate AABP guidelines that can be used for training purposes on beef and dairy farms to provide guidance to caretakers who speak Spanish as a first language. Veterinarians can download these guidelines and print them for use,” says K. Fred Gingrich, DVM, executive director of AABP.

Essential to this process is that consultation occur between the herd veterinarian and the client regarding age of castration, castration technique and pain mitigation strategies that are appropriate for each operation. The use of written, herd-specific protocols to document these discussions is encouraged, according to AABP.

Appreciation For Diversity

Gingrich says the guidelines were born out of the AABP board of directors’ appreciation for the cultural diversity of the bovine veterinary profession today and also the significant LatinX population who are caretakers on the operations where veterinarians provide services.

“The task force was populated by AABP volunteers who are fluent in Spanish and English. AABP wishes to sincerely thank Drs. Adrian Garzon, Adrian Ortega Ornelas, Mariana Guerra Maupome and Raul Landeo for their significant effort in translating these guidelines for our members,” Gingrich says.

Additional sets of guidelines that have been developed in Spanish -- all available here -- include:

* Care and Disposition of Non-Ambulatory and Injured Ambulatory Cattle Guidelines

* Dehorning Guidelines

* Transportation of Cattle

It’s Time to Plan for Backgrounding Weaned Calves

Fall Calving in Hot Weather is a Challenge

Managing Mastitis Through Changing Environments

Cows Will Tell You Whether They’re Happy With How They’re Milked

When is the right time to castrate bulls?

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 18:43:42 GMT

The practice of castrating animals goes back to ancient times. Egyptian farmers found castrating bovine bulls made the animal much easier to handle. It’s doubtful the Egyptians were concerned about the value-added components of their animals. But today, adding value to market cattle is the name of the game and castration is a key component to any preconditioning program that can greatly influence market price premiums or discounts, especially in older bull calves.

Castrating bull calves has become common practice in U.S. beef herds. In 2017, the USDA-APHIS NAHMS Beef Cow Calf study indicated that 62% of commercial cow-calf herds used castration methods in their management practices. Castration has provided economic benefits to both the cow-calf producer and feedlot operators through increased market prices and meat quality. Castration also decreases unwanted pregnancy and increases the safety of workers and other animals.

There is a perceived notion that intact bulls have an advantage in body weight gains during the preweaning period and post greater weaning weights than calves castrated at or near birth. However, numerous studies have shown the weaning weights are similar for bulls and steers (approx. 600 lbs.). Advantages in calf weight gain due to testosterone production are presumably realized at a time following average weaning dates closer to puberty.

The timing of castration can influence weight gain and stress management. Studies examining how timing of castration effects average daily gains (ADG) in cattle castrated either in early life (birth to 2 mo.) or those castrated at weaning or postweaning (6-10 mo.) demonstrated higher ADG during the post-weaning period in the early castrated calves (approx. 0.30 lbs/day greater) than those castrated at or after. The period calves experience weight loss post-castration increases with age as does risk of disease susceptibility. The stress experienced is also related to the time of castration as the level of discomfort and trauma increases with the size of testicles. Calves castrated at 5 ½ months of age or later experienced a greater duration of stress than those castrated at birth or at branding.

Bull calves entering the stocker or feedlot segments of the industry have numerous health and performance factors associated with late life castration such as increased risk or morbidity and mortality, sick treatments and decreased ADG. Therefore, price discounts for bull calves being sold at market can be substantial when compared to steers marketed in the same weight class. Lighter weight bulls (300-400 lbs.) are viewed as less risky, and discounts are generally minimal if any. As the weight of a bull increases, so does the risk. Discounts can average $6-12/cwt or $30-60 per head.

A herd management practice that dates to ancient times and still used today has clearly proven beneficial. Utilizing the practice and with a timing that makes sense may be the difference between dollars made or dollars lost.

Castration is an important part of adding value to your calves through preconditioning. For more details and to enroll in the OQBN program go to www.oqbn.okstate.edu

Pain Management: Suppress, Substitute, Soothe, Supplement

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 16:23:26 GMT

The desire to treat a food animal’s pain coupled with the various legal and human-health considerations can create a tricky path for veterinarians to navigate.

Even so, Hans Coetzee says, “It is fundamentally important to address pain for the animal’s benefit, production efficiency, and for maintaining the confidence of the consumer.”

Coetzee, head of the department of anatomy and physiology at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has devoted extensive study and education over the years to the subject of pain management in food animals.

He references dehorning as one of the major areas of consumer concern relative to the perceived humane treatment of cattle. And, he says, it has been well-established through research that dehorning is, indeed, a painful procedure.

Coetzee recommends veterinarians consider what he refers to as the four S’s of livestock pain management for dehorning, injuries and surgeries.

Suppress – When possible, make changes so a procedure is no longer necessary. In the case of dehorning, he says adoption of polled genetics will eventually make dehorning obsolete.

Substitute – Refine how the procedure is performed to reduce pain, if you can. For horn removal, use disbudding versus dehorning by performing the procedure at a younger age before the horn bud has attached to the underlying bone. Changing calf handling techniques and providing proper restraint also can reduce stress and pain.

Soothe – Use analgesics to reduce pain before a procedure starts. Administering a local cornual nerve block with lidocaine before dehorning will help reduce pain caused by the procedure.

Supplement – Back up the initial pain mitigation with a longer-acting analgesic. Veterinary-prescribed meloxicam given at the time of dehorning in addition to lidocaine can minimize the chronic inflammatory pain caused by the procedure for at least 48 hours. Together, they help control different parts of the pain pathway.

Providing analgesics in dehorning is considered a standard of care in the American Association of Bovine Practitioners’ (AABP) Dehorning Guidelines.

Follow the guidelines.
Renee Dewell, lead public health veterinarian at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, says there are limited FDA-approved drug options available in the U.S. Both lidocaine and meloxicam can be administered on prescription by a licensed veterinarian, following guidelines allowed under Extra-Label Drug Use (ELDU) by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA). The prescribing veterinarian always should specify meat and milk withdrawal times for medications prescribed under ELDU.

“I want to emphasize that the communication of the withdrawal interval is critical for extra-label use, which in the case of pain management schemes and protocols is certainly going to apply,” Dewell says.

“We need to be really intentional in completing a written form for all of our ELDU prescriptions, as well as verbally explain them to producers. I really encourage us all to write it and say it, and make sure that both of those things happen.”

Evaluate your clients.
Some producers might not be attuned to an animal’s need for pain management or prepared to pay for it. When such scenarios arise, Dewell says be sensitive to client concerns while still recommending the product or practice. Common issues she works with producers to address first include lameness, dystocia and surgeries such as cesarean sections.

“Often, once a producer sees the difference in how an animal responds, they are likely to support your future efforts to reduce or eliminate animals’ pain,” she says.

Coetzee and Dewell addressed the topic of pain management in beef and dairy cattle during their respective presentations at the 2021 AABP annual conference.

For more information on pain management protocols, consider the RACE-approved modules from Meredyth Jones DVM, MS, DACVIM, available at largeanimalce.com/about/ , as well the “Approaching Pain in Cattle” brochure, available on the AABP website at https://bit.ly/3sfq0sv .